Actress Taraji P. Henson is on operation TAKEOVER! She’s the star of a hit television show, hosting award shows and winning the awards as well. The Empire star has been on the cover of multiple magazines most recently Ebony, Uptown and Allure magazine and she’s gracing the cover of ‘W’ magazines August issue.
In the issue, Taraji opens up about her role as Cookie, almost turning it down and more.
On her role of Cookie in Empire: “Not only would I never be offered a character like Cookie in a movie, but she doesn’t exist. Cookie is bold and crazy, and she loves the struggle. She started from nothing, and now she’s at the top. In that way, we’re alike: Cookie is the American Dream.”
On originally turning down Cookie: “I was like, This is stupid. Hip-hop—dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb. But then I started to think, Cookie is going to piss so many people off! She hits her son with a broom; she talks back. Clearly, this was a challenge.”
On moving to LA to pursue acting when her son was a toddler: “It was a struggle. But my son grew as my career grew. I never had a nanny—I did TV so I could be home with him. I wasn’t making my millions, but I was able to fulfill my dreams and be a mother.”